A HAMPSHIRE man who was found dead in woodland was thousands of pounds in debt, an inquest heard.

Steven Lockyer was found by a dog walker close to Magnolia Walk, Abbotswood, Romsey, a coroner's court heard.

The 59-year-old had been missing from his home in Tavistock Close, Romsey, since April 23 last year.

Police conducted enquiries to try and locate him and launched an appeal to the public for help in finding him.

He was discovered in an area off the main pathway near Belbins Business Park around nine months later on February 5.

The court heard that Mr Lockyer had debts of around £8,000 and had been served an eviction notice by his landlord.

Mitchell Lockyer, his son, said his father was a former heavy goods vehicle driver, but that he was made redundant and had been out of work for around two years.

He said he had last seen his dad on April 19 when he came over for a cup of tea and a chat.

"He was often going to the pub with his friends, and to see his brother. He had a lot of close friends," he said.

"He seemed perfectly normal, nothing was out of the ordinary."

Pathologist Dr Basil Purdue said it was impossible to say how Mr Lockyer had died due to the length of time that had passed between his disappearance and the discovery of his remains.

When asked by Central Hampshire coroner Grahame Short whether it was possible Mr Lockyer had taken his own life, Dr Purdue replied: "While one cannot be sure there is nothing to suggest that he has done that."

DC Martin Timmis of Hampshire Constabulary said an eviction notice was left open on the table in a search of Mr Lockyer's property, which had been tidied and had its fridge cleared out.

Mr Short said: "The picture I have is that he was quite a private person. He did not tell his friends and family about his difficulties with his finances, for instance.

"It is significant that he had tidied his flat and left it in a very orderly manner.

"I believe that he left the flat and made his way directly to the place where his remains were found.

"The cause of death cannot be ascertained, however, due to his financial position and the apparent loss of his home it would seem quite possible that he chose to end his life in a secluded place."

He recorded an open conclusion.